FjFW 2016 (Day 1)

Fiji Fashion Week 2016
Resort Wear Show
8 Sept 2016
Vodafone Arena
Suva
Fiji

Now I am no fashion blogger but I love to watch the Fashion Show. As a consumer of the Fashion industry and a lover of creativity and art I too have my 2 cent when I watch the show. 

This post is not about individual designer breakdown, rather, it gives my 2cent on how youth are involved in the Fiji Fashion Week. I have been working with the photography team during this annual event and this year I thought to take a different approach. I must say I was impressed with the amount of Youth involved in putting the show together. 

The theme of the evening event was Resort Wear so naturally the colours showcased tonight were bright and fabrics seemed cool. Overall - I loved the show!

1. 8 year old designer
The show feature Mariah Alone, 8 year who designed a swimwear line with the help from her mother and family. This, I must say is truly inspiring and a great example of Innovation, Support, Creativity and Opportunity. 
It is extremely important for parents to support their children so they can live out their dreams. 

2. Models
Majority of the models are youth and while some have full time jobs and walk the runway for hobby others are considering this a future career and some using this platform to boost their confidence, network and have a feel of the fashion industry. 

3. Volunteers
The volunteers have been doing a lot of the behind the scene work and it can't be easy pulling together a Fashion show without the help of the volunteers. I spoke to some volunteers who have been at FjFW for a number of years now while it was a first time experience for some. Youth volunteerism is huge across the world and I am glad that our local youth get to learn a thing or two about fashion from Local as well International personals at this annual event. 

At this point I think I would like to highlight that The Fiji Fashion Week event engages numerous youth in this annual event. When we look at the Sustainable Development Goals and key points such as; Economic growth, Innovation, Employment, Education, International/Global partnership and Equal opportunities I think the fashion industry does tie into a lot of these. 
>The Fashion industry is thriving across the globe and it is contributing towards our Economic growth. 
>The various styles displayed showcased the innovation by various designers. 
>The fashion industry is a form of employment of many present at the event and others who contribute externally, example seamstress, graphic designers, printers and pattern makers. 
>The workshops conducted by FjFW and courses offered by FNU & APTC are contributing towards the fashion education needed by the designers and others in the industry. 
>International Designers and companies showcasing their produce at FjFW or coming here looking to partner with locals it shows a good link towards Global partnerships. 
>This annual opportunities is being utilized by local and International designers to showcase their work, generate interest and create discussion about what fashion means to us. 

And there is my brief take on tonight's show. It was a pleasure watching and chatting with the various people involved in the industry. 

Until next blog... 

What I stitched & wore (QYL: 2016)

What I stitched & wore?

Attending something as amazing as the Queen's Young Leaders Residential Week requires dress codes for various events and functions.
Lucky for us the QYL team are super awesome and provided us with itineraries that indicated the dress codes for the various events. This really did make everything easy. And being a little over prepared in nature for most things I got down to planning out what I will wear for each of the events (Thanks to le sister for helping out here and being my Fashion Police). We had it all down in a spreadsheet and saved on my phone as well as a printed copy that went in my schedule file.

Now, I love sewing and I got a little over excited and decided that I wanted to sew as many of my clothes as possible for the residential week. And I thought of making mostly dresses as they could be pulled off as formal and casual.

Monday: I wore the blue dress with red roses. YES it has pockets (as most of my stitching does). Simple dress with pockets and I wore my jacket over because it was super cold.
Tuesday: Casual day at Cambridge so I wore skirt and cardigan (not pictured).
Wednesday: The paisley dress. Again simple dress (no pockets - that's another story for another time).
THURSDAY: Award evening! I sewed this black dress and my wonderful brother-in-law printed the veil for me. The award outfit had a lot of thinking and contemplating AND effort I must say. I mean what do you wear to go see Her Majesty, the Queen!!.
Friday: Double trouble. TGIF! Friday was special as it featured two outfits. The first was THE BLUE DRESS which I had stitched last year to wear to the award ceremony. It has Pacific prints and has stick figures which I thought depicted the Pacific well. Plus it was BLUE! Nobel banner blue :-) [FYI: Fiji's flag is blue and the anthem has line "Nobel banner blue"] The evening we were hosted to dinner at THE SHARD so I wore the CROWN dress. The prints on the dress are all crowns. Apt for ROYAL BANO no :-)

There you have it. What I wore during the 2016 QYL residential week. :-) 

 Until next blog,
:-)

SHERO

SHERO. A SHE-Hero. There are many people who have influenced me into who I am today. Mostly from family and very close friends to some International icons. One such (now) close friend is Ms. Roshika Deo who I have know since 2009. She has been there for me night or day, rain or shine and I hope I can be a vibrant young woman like that too. I admire her. She is a wonderful role model and she doesnt take crap from anyone :-)

Recently, when I started doodling a friend suggested I make a business out of it. I thought meh!! I made this piece here especially for Rosh.

And the end product that reached her was something like this. 

I gave it to her the other night when we went to watch the screening of Fabulous Fashionistas and I am glad she loves it. 

Within a few hours of posting this on facebook MisMatched by Design I received three orders already for the next week. People think it is a great gift idea. I'm not sure if you can see the fine print but there are words written in between the design. 

So if you would like to order one for your self you can find me through the facebook link above :-) 

until next blog . . . 

Hippie: Colors of the World

Doodle #2 began to pass some time; 

Peace; Women; Men; Feminism; Gender Equality and so much more. there are hidden words in the images :-) See which ones you can find. 

As much as I love the black & White, plain feel I must admit I like the colors too. 

  

These can be bought from ACT Advocacy for $2.00fjd (Suva) postage charge applies for out of Suva, Fiji delivery. 

If you want a message personalized in it contact me and I will design it for you. 

Art can be a good source of employment. It is very time consuming and it would be great if people appreciate the efforts that come with the price. 

Doodle 1

Feminism! A word I was uncomfortable with for a long time because I thought it meant "hating men". 

Feminism is a powerful word. It empowers women and reminds others that women still have large struggle despite living in the 21st century with modern technology, resources and education.

FEMINISM - everyone needs it. Without feminism we would not have progressed this far because we would not have fought, raised hell or put our foot down. 

one step is all it took. from the first image (feminism) I began to cover the page in ink. 

It is still work in progress :-)